For the past six months, the cheetahs have been subjecting them to grueling training.
Ling Ruoke initially felt like she was dying from the pain, but gradually she adapted. Many things had become instinctive.
But when Cheetah told her they were going on a mission to rescue the child of one of the gang's leaders, she was so nervous she could hardly breathe. Training and real combat are completely different.
This is the 27th of the lunar year; the next day is Lunar New Year's Eve.
Inside the helicopter, Cheetah sat opposite her, coldly watching her.
The cheetah's face remained expressionless, yet Ling Ruoke felt as if it were coldly mocking her. However, she couldn't defend herself, because she was genuinely nervous.
Normally, those powerful guns and cannons are aimed at targets, but in actual combat, they're aimed at flesh-and-blood people. She can't even bear to watch a chicken being killed, how could she possibly kill someone?
But she couldn't refuse; the cheetah wouldn't allow her to refuse this mission.
She knew in her heart that the cheetah was doing this for her own good. Everyone needs to go through this transformation in order to truly turn those skills and techniques into weapons of protection.
The plane slowly descended.
Following their established ceremony, and in accordance with the well-prepared strategic plan, everyone quickly moved into their assigned groups and returned to their positions.
Ling Ruoke's mind went blank, and her clothes were soaked with cold sweat.
The man had a fierce face and menacing eyes. He held a short knife in his hand, confronting her menacingly.
Ling Ruoke's hand was tightly gripping the trigger, but she couldn't pull it. Sweat poured down her face, trickling into her eyes and blurring her vision.
It hurts. Ling Ruoke blinked.
In the blink of an eye, the man lunged at her with a knife in hand.
Ling Ruoke found that her finger was completely immobile, and she could only instinctively step back and reach out to block the assassination attempt. Just as the knife was about to pierce her chest, a gunshot rang out.
Ling Ruoke fell to the ground, the knife made a cut on her hand, but it didn't go very deep.
Ling Ruoke gasped for breath, still shaken, her body limp. She looked up; the cheetah gave her a cold glance and walked away.
She didn't fire the gun; it was the cheetah that appeared beside her. If it weren't for the cheetah, perhaps that knife would be stuck in her heart right now.
Ling Ruoke remained stunned for a long time, unable to recover. The scene from just now was like a video clip being played back repeatedly, constantly replaying in her mind.
They completed their mission. The child was terrified and was still crying loudly after being rescued. He had bruises on his body; he was just a 5-year-old boy.
Ling Ruoke looked at the crying child. If she had been in charge of shooting the bad guys and saving the child, wouldn't the child be dead? She couldn't possibly have fired the gun!
She couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if it had been her own child or Qingfeng who needed saving? Ling Ruoke felt more distressed than ever before, almost unable to breathe!
Images of children being shot in the head kept flashing before her eyes; the crimson flowers blooming red filled her vision, a horrifying sight. That red, like a sharp knife, stung her eyes and chilled her to the bone.
The wound was bandaged by the medic; the cut wasn't deep and wasn't serious.
She didn't utter a sound in the helicopter. She didn't even dare to look the cheetah in the eye.
As soon as she got off the plane, Ling Ruoke saw a familiar, tall figure standing in front of her. As if she had suffered a great injustice, she threw herself into his arms and silently shed tears.
Huo Qingfeng put his arm around her, nodded to the cheetah, and led her into the woods. As they walked, he kept an eye on her injured hand, making sure it didn't get touched by branches.
"Waaah..." The little woman in their arms started to sob as soon as they stood up.
Huo Qingfeng stroked her head, letting out a sigh of relief with heartache. Let alone a kind and soft-hearted woman like her, even the soldiers he trained might not dare to actually fire a gun on their first mission.
After crying for a long time, the young woman raised her red, rabbit-like eyes and looked at him pitifully. "Am I really useless?" she asked, her voice a little hoarse.
Huo Qingfeng smiled slightly and shook his head, raising his hand to wipe away her tears and kissing her forehead. "No. Everyone needs a period of adjustment. Whether the other person is a bad person or a good person, it's still a human life. You're too kind and too soft-hearted."
"If I had been in charge of rescuing that child, I would have killed him! I... I can't bear to think about it—"
"Shh—" Huo Qingfeng pressed a finger to her lips, stopping her from saying anything more. "Then don't think about anything. Let's go home, your husband will take you home for the New Year!"
"Can I go back?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why would you think I'd come here?" He affectionately pinched her red little nose.
Ling Ruoke pouted, thinking that they had come specifically to comfort her. Although she was still thinking about her failure, the good news of being able to go home for the New Year still made her very excited.
As the car drove out of the base and headed straight for the airport, Ling Ruoke still felt like she was dreaming.
On the plane to Z city, she couldn't bear to sleep. She just stared intently at the scenery outside the window, hoping to get home soon.
After getting off the plane, I got into the familiar Hummer.
Ling Ruoke rested her chin on the car window, letting the cold wind caress her face. Her mood soared the entire way.
At dusk.
Familiar roads, familiar community gates, familiar buildings.
Ling Ruoke jumped off the Hummer, grabbed the colonel's hand, and ran upstairs. The clattering of their footsteps expressed their joyful mood.
She took out her keys from her pocket, slowly pulled open the security door, and then slowly pushed open the main door.
With a click, the switch was pressed.
Under the pale moonlight, the floor gleamed, and the windows and tables were spotless. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of lilies.
Several blooming lilies were arranged in a vase on the coffee table, no wonder they smelled so sweet.
She turned her head, and the colonel smiled and raised an eyebrow. He took her hand and led her through the doorway.
Huo Qingfeng turned around, scooped her up in his arms, and spun her around in a grand manner. "Welcome home, my wife!"
Ling Ruoke let out a joyful laugh and hugged his neck. In her dizziness, everything felt so unreal, yet so beautifully real.
Huo Qingfeng gently set her down, cupped her rosy face, and smiled his most beautiful smile. He lowered his head and kissed his lovely wife. His strong arms wrapped tightly around her slender waist, unwilling to let go.
After a long kiss, the colonel's eyes were filled with desire, and his body reacted. His wife in his arms was panting, her flushed face and luscious lips silently challenging his self-control.
"Honey, go take a shower first, I'll cook for you!" Colonel Huo pushed his wife into the bathroom.
Ling Ruoke tugged at the bathroom door, staring wide-eyed as she asked, "You can cook?"
"Today I'll let you taste my cooking. Besides outdoor barbecues, you're the first person I've ever had the chance to try!" He proudly pulled his wife close, gave her a few more bites, and then reluctantly closed the bathroom door.
Huo Qingfeng turned around, opened the refrigerator, and took out all the prepared vegetables, soaking the leafy greens in a bowl. First, he washed the pot and started cooking the rice, then he prepared the soup ingredients and put them in the pot to simmer slowly, before starting to pick, wash, and chop the vegetables... He seemed quite skilled.
In the bathroom.
Ling Ruoke was comfortably soaking in the bathtub. She was really looking forward to the Colonel's cooking.
After soaking for about twenty minutes, the water had cooled down, and Ling Ruoke reluctantly got out.
The large mirror in the bathroom was covered with a layer of condensation, making it foggy. She picked up a towel and wiped it off casually.
The young woman in the mirror, naked, had delicate features. Her figure wasn't stunning, but it was certainly shapely. Thanks to six months of training, she had a slender waist, a flat stomach, and long, strong legs. It was just that her spiky hair looked somewhat comical.
Ling Ruoke touched her prickly hair, wondering when it would grow longer.
Stepping out in a white bathrobe, I was immediately greeted by the rich aroma of soup in the air. The fragrance of fresh tea tree mushrooms, in particular, made my mouth water.
Ling Ruoke took a deep breath, swayed to the kitchen doorway, crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame, watching the man busy stir-frying.
His movements were very skillful, almost like a chef in a hotel.
Ling Ruoke chuckled. "Hey, Colonel, you really do look the part!"
The colonel finished stir-frying and put the lid on. He struck a pose, mimicking some of those spoof videos, raised an eyebrow at her, and said in a strange voice, "Don't be obsessed with me, I'm just a legend!"
"Hahaha..." Ling Ruoke couldn't help but burst out laughing, her stomach swelled up, and she squatted down on the ground.
Huo Qingfeng watched his wife beam with joy, and his heart itched to pull her into his arms and kiss her to his heart's content. But looking at his greasy hands, he could only purse his lips and reluctantly restrain himself.
Ling Ruoke laughed enough, went into the kitchen, and hugged the busy Colonel Huo from behind.
"Honey, there's cooking fumes!" His wife had already washed and smelled wonderful, and he didn't want her to smell of cooking fumes again.
Ling Ruoke poked her head out, winked mischievously, and asked with a smile, "What does it matter? We can just take another shower. Don't you want to drag me in and shower with you?"
"Wife!" Colonel Huo was so aroused that he couldn't resist. Ignoring the fumes, he grabbed her and kissed her hard a few times.
If the food in the pot hadn't been still cooking, he would have taken her right there and then!
He bit her hard behind the ear and threatened, "Even if you beg for mercy, I won't stop!"
She gave him a quick peck on the lips, then stuck out her tongue and went to the living room to watch TV.
Colonel Huo, whose heart was itching with desire, had no choice but to continue cooking to please his beloved wife.
Before long, three dishes and a soup were served.
Ling Ruoke served the rice early and waited at the table for the meal to begin.
Colonel Huo brought out the last soup, and kissed her as he put it down. "Come on, wife, try your husband's cooking."
"Dinner's ready!" Ling Ruoke picked up a piece of beef and put it in her mouth.
"Careful, it's hot!" Unfortunately, he shouted too late.
Ling Ruoke groaned in pain, yet she couldn't bear to spit it out. Finally, the beef bounced around in her mouth until it was finally able to go down her throat.
"Are you burned? Let me see!" The colonel tenderly lifted her chin, looking at her little red tongue. "Does it hurt?"
"Just a little bit." Ling Ruoke smacked her lips twice and found it a little stinging. She wondered if blisters would form later.
Colonel Huo kissed her lips twice forcefully. "A kiss from your husband will make the pain go away."
Ling Ruoke smiled as she looked at the increasingly gentle colonel, feeling incredibly happy.
"Delicious, so delicious!" With his mouth full of oil, he couldn't kiss the colonel's face, so he gave the colonel a little nibble on his lips, making the colonel's heart itch with desire.
They enjoyed a sweet and loving meal together, and both were very satisfied.
After the meal, Ling Ruoke patted her stomach and asked to wash the dishes. However, the colonel pushed her into the room to change clothes, saying he wanted to go for a walk to digest his food.
The two held hands and slowly walked around the neighborhood.
"Shall we take a walk to Pei Shi's house?" Ling Ruoke suggested with a smile. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen her friend for more than half a year.
Huo Qingfeng naturally had no objections. The two residential areas were very close to each other, which was convenient.
We arrived at Tan Peishi's house.
Ling Ruoke knocked on the door, then playfully hid behind Colonel Huo's broad back. She pressed herself tightly against his back, remaining motionless.
Tan Peishi was snuggled up on the sofa watching TV with Fu Peigang. She came to open the door, saw the person outside, and called out, "Captain, what brings you here?"
"Ta-da! I'm here too!" Ling Ruoke jumped out from behind the colonel like a rabbit.
She thought Tam Pei-shi would excitedly rush over, but she didn't.
Tan Peishi pointed at Ling Ruoke's spiky hair and spat out, "Hahaha... hair... your hair..."
The commotion startled Fu Peigang, who also came over. Seeing Ling Ruoke's hair, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, if you two keep making fun of my wife, believe me, I'll beat someone up!" Huo Qingfeng held his blushing wife in his arms, openly threatening her.
"Okay, I won't laugh, I won't laugh!" Tan Peishi hurriedly waved her hand, but the next second she couldn't help but burst out laughing again. Afraid of being beaten, she quickly hid behind Fu Peigang, covering her mouth and continuing to giggle.
The four of them made a ruckus at the door before moving inside.
Tan's mother was also there, and Ling Ruoke quickly greeted her.
"Hey Ruoke, what's wrong with your hair? How could you have thought of cutting it like this? Oh my, I can't help it, hee hee..." Tan Peishi laughed nonstop.
Ling Ruoke raised her hand and gave her a flick on the forehead. "Are you ever going to stop?"
"Honey, she hit me!" Tan Peishi covered her head and pitifully complained.
Since Fu Peigang couldn't beat Ruo Ke, he could only say, "I'll beat up the captain later to avenge you!"
The two women burst out laughing upon hearing this.
"Don't worry, honey, he can't beat me," the colonel replied coolly.
Seeing her husband's discomfiture, Tan Peishi quickly pulled Ruoke into the room. "Let's go, let's talk in the room and ignore those two stinky men."
The two men looked at each other, feeling wronged.
Once inside the room, Tan Peishi hugged her tightly. "Ruo Ke, I feel so happy. Fu Peigang is still alive, alive and well! You don't know how I felt the moment I saw him in front of me. I truly felt that as long as he's alive and by my side, I wouldn't be afraid even if the sky fell!"
She smiled through her tears. The despair she felt then, and the joy of their reunion, remained so vivid and clear.
"Me too." Ling Ruoke hugged her back, her smile tinged with tears. Only she knew the feeling of embracing him in the darkness of X country. Only she understood the feeling of recklessly venturing into a living hell.
After a while, Tan Peishi suddenly pushed her away and lightly punched her in the chest several times. "You dare to say that! You suddenly disappeared, you scared me to death! You dumped so much work at the company on me, I almost died from exhaustion! Tell me, how are you going to compensate me for the physical and emotional damage!"
Ling Ruoke hugged her fist, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry."
Seeing her serious expression, Tan Peishi chuckled. "I was just kidding! Hey, tell me what happened after you went to see the captain? I'm really curious!"
Ling Ruoke looked at her curious eyes and felt a little amused and exasperated. After thinking it over, she could only shake her head in the end. She didn't want to talk about her deal with the wolf. And she definitely couldn't mention the training at the base.
"I don't know how to say it, I'm still confused myself. I'll tell you when I've figured it out, okay?"
Tan Peishi knew she couldn't say, so she didn't press her. "It's alright. Everything's fine now, none of that matters."
"Yes, none of that matters anymore!" Since there's already a good outcome, the bad process can be forgotten.
Tan Peishi chuckled and pulled her down onto the bed. She closed her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. "It still feels like a dream! You don't know, at first, I'd wake up several times a night. I only felt at ease when I could touch his warm body. Luckily, the army gave him leave during that time, otherwise I really wouldn't know what to do."
Ling Ruoke chuckled and teased, "It's definitely not true. You lecherous woman, you probably got up in the middle of the night and raped Fu Peigang!"
Unlike Pei Shi, she couldn't feel his body temperature at night. But the lingering embrace after their long separation was just as profound.
Tan Peishi laughed heartily. "My mother gave me life, but Ruo Ke truly understands me!"
Then, she turned around lecherously, giving Ruoke a thorough once-over. "Don't tell me you and the captain haven't slept together yet!"
"Yes." Ling Ruoke was still a little embarrassed, but she wasn't as shy anymore. When you're truly with the person you love, then "sex" is no longer a taboo subject.
Tan Peishi's eyes widened in surprise, and she cried out excitedly, flipping over and grabbing Ruoke's collar. "How was your first time? Did it hurt? Did you faint? Tell me, tell me, tell me!"
Ling Ruoke couldn't help but tap her. "Tan Peishi, you're a girl, not a hooligan!"
But that's just who Pei Shi is. Authentic, and doesn't like to hide anything.
The first time I had sex with Fu Peigang, I called her from afar, loudly proclaiming how strong her man was, how painful the first time was, and how wonderful it was afterwards.
Ling Ruoke blushed deeply when she heard this and said, "Tan Peishi, can't you be a little more reserved?"
Tan Peishi laughed heartily on the other end of the phone. "I didn't announce it to everyone. Besides, having a harmonious sex life with the man I love is a good thing, isn't it?"
Tan Peishi is such a genuine and lovely woman. She loves Fu Peigang, and she expresses it openly and honestly, never pretending to be shy or ladylike as others suggest.
It takes a lot of courage for a woman to propose to the man she loves.
Tan Peishi did it.
Some say that a woman should maintain a certain mystery, like a quirky elf who can never be figured out, in order for her marriage to last and be happy.
Tan Peishi was different; every subtle change in her mood was written all over her face. She wasn't afraid that Fu Peigang would know her flaws; on the contrary, she was quite willing to let him know.
But she wasn't willful; she would let him see that she was trying to do better, even if she had shortcomings, she was trying to avoid or correct them. She would always use small gestures to let Fu Peigang see her goodness and her loveliness, making life more fun.
Take sex, for example. She's not promiscuous, and she certainly won't do anything inappropriate or say anything explicit in public or in front of others. But in private, she'll create little romantic moments, using her charm to bewitch her man, telling him how happy she is during intimate moments, and spending one passionate night after another together.
Isn't she, who is so real and adorable, much better than those so-called "chameleon girls"?
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